Skid Steer Backhoe Attachments: What They Are, What They Do, and More

Spring is officially here, which means it’s time to get back out in the field.

Does your crew need a new attachment for your skid steers that can excavate and trench with equal facility, and which offers a great deal of versatility?

Sounds like your crew may need a skid steer backhoe attachment. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Skid Steer Backhoe?

Much like their full-sized counterpart, skid steer backhoe attachments constitute a class of digging implements that usually consist of an articulated arm with a bucket attached. Backhoes also usually have stabilizers that offer a greater degree of stability to the machine to which the digging arm and bucket are attached.

The name backhoe refers to the orientation and digging action of the arm and bucket; the backhoe attachment draws the bucket back toward the operate, hence the name.

Skid steer backhoe attachments, specifically, are attachments that are compatible with skid steers (or mini skid steers) and which consist of a hydraulically-powered arm and bucket, giving the skid steer the same basic digging abilities as the full-sized machine.

What Skid Steer Backhoe Configurations Does Spartan Offer?

Here at Spartan Equipment, we offer two basic configurations in skid steer backhoes: stiff arm and swing arm backhoe attachments.

Our E-Z Digger Backhoe Attachment with a stiff arm has an overall reach of 79” from the skid steer plate and can easily dig down up to 7’. It can generate 14,000 lbs of ripping force. The bucket linkage also improves breakout force with increased bucket rotation.

The E-Z Digger Backhoe attachment with a swing arm offers over 95” of reach from the skid steer plate and can swing 35° to the right and 45° to the left.

Five bucket sizes are available between 8” and 24”, which are compatible with fixed thumbs, giving the attachment increases manipulation abilities, similar to a grapple attachment. They also feature stress-proof pins that are stronger and more wear-resistant.

Both of them are fully-engineered and rigorously tested in real-world, unforgiving environments and feature replaceable hardened bushings and greasable fittings on all pivot points, enabling easier maintenance.

With a universal skid steer quick attach mount, they are compatible with all major skid steer loader brands. (For our collection of skid steer plates, please consult the previous link.)

Both models are covered with a generous 1-year warranty.

Our skid steer backhoe attachments, like all of our other skid steer plates and attachments, are made in the United States with American steel only. We stand behind the quality of our products and never use cheap Chinese imports. That’s why Spartan Equipment attachments will Never Surrender.

What Can a Skid Steer Backhoe Be Used for?

The great thing about a skid steer backhoe attachment is the versatility.

They are smaller, lighter, and more compact than full-sized machines, so they can go where full-sized machines can’t, such as in yards, between houses, and on narrow roadside shoulders.

With that said, they maintain the versatility and some of the power of a dedicated full-sized backhoe and can be used for many of the same tasks.

The digging ability of a skid steer backhoe attachment is akin to a mini excavator. Although they may not be able to reach as deep, they can be used for digging foundations. Also, if you lack a trencher, backhoe attachments can be used for digging long, straight trenches. This makes them perfect for creating breaks, drain lines, and irrigation ditches, and to prepare for laying utility lines.

Skid steer attachments can also be used in a variety of capacities in landscaping and agricultural land management. For instance, they can be used to help dig out low areas for creating ponds, they can be used to rip out old stumps, and they can also be used for digging holes for root balls, even if they are not quite as facile as dedicated tree planting attachments. They can also be used for tilling.

Backhoe attachments, though small, can be used to lift heavy or unwieldy materials and loads, especially when equipped with the thumb attachment.

In the hands of some operators, a skid steer equipped with a backhoe can be used to perform light demolition work. Thanks to the leverage of the arm and the ripping force, these attachments can be used to tear down walls and knock over small structures like sheds.

When equipped with a fixed thumb, the bucket of the attachment becomes like a grapple. This makes these attachments uniquely suitable for disaster cleanup and moving debris, logs, or other large, heavy, cumbersome loads.

Basic Backhoe Maintenance

Skid steer backhoe attachments, like all skid steer attachments, should be properly maintained on an ongoing schedule, before each use, every week, and every season.

Before every use, check that all fasteners on the attachment and plate are present and secure. Do not use if any are missing or damaged.

Inspect and replace any worn or missing safety decals.

Re-grease all greaseable fittings with lithium or molybdenum disulfide grease until you see the old grease being flushed out. This will ensure proper lubrication of the moving parts of the attachment.

Investigate and repair any oil leaks.

After use, clean off any dirt or mud residue on the attachment, then re-grease the fittings. This will help prevent corrosion on the skid steer plate and attachment.

After each week, inspect the bucket’s teeth for signs of wear, corrosion, or other damage. Replace worn or broken teeth as necessary.

After each season, inspect for loose, worn or damaged parts and replace before the next use.

Clean, sand and paint any areas where the finish has worn away. You can use an equipment paint (most hardware stores sell them) as these will protect against rust and corrosion.

Lubricate all pivot joints and apply a thin layer of grease to any exposed cylinder rods; this will help protect against corrosion.

Store your skid steer and attachment away from areas frequented by children and under a shed or, if you must leave it outside, under a waterproof tarp to protect it against sun and rain.

Contact Us for More Information

If you have any questions about our skid steer backhoe attachments or the skid steer plates that are necessary for mounting, please contact us at 1-888-888-1085.